Storage device with a cover supporting portion

ABSTRACT

A disk drive assembly having a base, a cover, a post extending from the base toward the cover, and a latch movably mounted on the post such that the post extends there through, wherein the post comprises a cover supporting portion configured to support the cover, and prevent the cover from compressing the latch and causing the latch from contacting both the cover and the base simultaneously when a load is applied to a portion of the cover above the latch.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application No. 61/808,156, filed Apr. 3, 2013, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to information storage devices, and in particular, to a latch assembly having a cover support member.

BACKGROUND

Disk drives frequently include a latch, a base, and top cover. The base may be a cast aluminum cavity which (after assembly) holds a majority of the drive's components. The top cover may be a stamped steel plate which mates with the upper portion of the base and encloses all of the drive's internal components. The latch is a magnetically actuated plastic hooking mechanism which pivots about a machined post and is designed to prevent drive failure during a non-operating rotational shock event. However, when an external load is applied to top cover, the top cover may deflect toward the latch and latch may suffer binding. Such binding may prevent the latch from functioning properly. Thus, a structure that may reduce cover deflection may be one aspect of the present application.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A general architecture that implements the various features of the disclosure will now be described with reference to the drawings. The drawings and the associated descriptions are provided to illustrate implementations of the disclosure and not to limit the scope of the disclosure. Throughout the drawings, reference numbers are reused to indicate correspondence between referenced elements.

FIG. 1 provides an exploded, perspective view generally illustrating a disk drive.

FIGS. 2A and 2B provide sectional views of two embodiments of disk drive housings that could be used with implementations of the present application.

FIG. 3 provides a perspective view of a disk drive including a latch assembly according to a first implementation of the present application.

FIG. 4 provides a sectional view of a disk drive including a latch assembly according to a first implementation of the present application.

FIG. 5 provides an enlarged view of portion of the sectional view of a disk drive of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 provides a perspective view of a disk drive including a latch assembly according to a second implementation of the present application.

FIG. 7 provides a sectional view of a disk drive including a latch assembly according to a second implementation of the present application.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1, a general disk drive 100 is illustrated. The disk drive 100 comprises a hub 102, a disk 104 physically contacting and supported by at least one mounting surface (not labeled in FIG. 1) of the hub 102, and a head 106 operable to write to and read from the disk 104. The hub 102 may comprises a substantially cylindrical portion 108 which define a longitudinal axis L and a mounting surface substantially normal to the longitudinal axis L, the mounting surface extending radially outward.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the disk drive 100 comprises a magnetic disk drive, and the structures and methods described herein will be described in terms of such a disk drive. However, these structures and methods may also be applied to and/or implemented in other disk drives, including, e.g., optical and magneto-optical disk drives.

The disks 104 may comprise any of a variety of magnetic or optical disk media having a substantially concentric opening 114 defined there through. Of course, the disk drive 100 may instead include more or fewer disks. For example, the disk drive 100 may include one disk or it may include two or more disks. The disks 104 each include a disk surface 116, as well as an opposing disk surface not visible in FIG. 1.

Further, the disk surfaces 116 may comprise a plurality of generally concentric tracks for storing data.

As illustrated, the hub 102 may be coupled to and support the disks 104. The hub 102 may also be rotatably attached to a base 118 of the disk drive 100, and may form one component of a motor 120 (e.g., a spindle motor). The motor 120 and the hub 102 may be configured to rotate the disks 104 about the longitudinal axis L.

Further, a disk clamp 140 may be coupled to the hub 102 to provide a downward clamping force to the disks 104. Specifically, the disk clamp 140 may be positioned above the disks 104 and attached to an upper surface of the hub 102. The interaction of the disk clamp 140 and the hub 102 to provide the downward clamping force is discussed in more detail below.

The disk drive 100 may further include a cover 122, which, together with the base 118, may house the disks 104 and the motor 120. The disk drive 100 may also include a head stack assembly (“HSA”) 124 rotatably attached to the base 118. The HSA 124 may include an actuator 126 comprising an actuator body 128 and one or more actuator arms 130 extending from the actuator body 128. The actuator body 128 may further be configured to rotate about an actuator pivot axis.

One or two head gimbal assemblies (“HGA”) 132 may be attached to a distal end of each actuator arm 130. Each HGA 132 includes a head 106 operable to write to and read from a corresponding disk 104. The HSA 124 may further include a coil 134 through which a changing electrical current is passed during operation. The coil 134 interacts with one or more magnets 136 that are attached to the base 118 to form a voice coil motor (“VCM”) for controllably rotating the HSA 124.

The head 106 may comprise any of a variety of heads for writing to and reading from a disk 104. In magnetic recording applications, the head 106 may include an air bearing slider and a magnetic transducer that includes a writer and a read element. The magnetic transducer's writer may be of a longitudinal or perpendicular design, and the read element of the magnetic transducer may be inductive or magneto resistive. In optical and magneto-optical recording applications, the head may include a mirror and an objective lens for focusing laser light on to an adjacent disk surface.

The disk drive 100 may further include a printed circuit board (“PCB”) (not shown). The PCB may include, inter alia, a disk drive controller for controlling read and write operations and a servo control system for generating servo control signals to position the actuator arms 130 relative to the disks 104.

Some disk drives may also include a latch assembly (not shown in FIG. 1) provided within the base 118 and located in the vicinity of the actuator arm 126 of the HSA 124. Several implementations of a latch assembly 150, 650 including a latch mechanism 142, 642 movable about a latch post 144, 644 are shown in FIGS. 2A-7 below.

FIG. 2A illustrates a first embodiment of a disk drive assembly that could be used with an implementation of the present application. In this first embodiment, the base 118 is configured to be open at the top so that components can be positioned within the base 118. Further, the cover 122 is configured to wrap around the sides of the base 118 to create an effective seal. Additionally, by wrapping around the sides of the base 118, some pinch resistance may be provided. The base 118 and the cover 122 may be machined from metallic materials in some embodiments. However, the base 118 and cover 122 are not limited to this and may be formed from any materials apparent to a person ordinary skill in the art using any manufacturing process.

FIG. 2B illustrates a second embodiment of a disk drive assembly that could be used with an implementation of the present application. In this second embodiment, the top cover 222 is recessed below the top surface of the base 218, and the entire drive may be covered by a sealing member 246 (e.g. thin-film seal, for example). In some implementations, a sealing member 246 may also be provided to create a hermetic seal within the drive. This sealing member 246 is not particularly limited, and may include a thin-film having adhesive applied to one side such that the sealing member 246 conforms to features of the cover 222, and the base 218. This design may allow for more efficient use of the available Z-height. However, this design may suffer reduced cover support along the edges of the drive (particularly in the area directly above the latch assembly 150).

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a disk drive including a latch assembly 150 according to a first implementation of the present application. Additionally, FIG. 4 illustrates a sectional view of a disk drive including the latch assembly 150 according to a first implementation of the present application. Further, FIG. 5 illustrates an enlarged view of portion of the sectional view of a disk drive of FIG. 4.

As illustrated, the latch assembly 150 comprises a latch mechanism 142, and a latch post 144. The latch mechanism 142 is formed with a through-hole 154 passing from the bottom of the latch mechanism 142 through to the top of the latch mechanism 142. The latch post 144 may be inserted through the through-hole 154. The diameters of the latch post 144 and the latch mechanism 142 are sized such that the latch mechanism 142 can freely rotate around the latch post 144. Further, the latch mechanism 142 may be configured to move vertically along the length of the latch post 144 such that the latch mechanism 142 “floats” between the base 118 and the cover 122 during operation of the disk drive.

In some implementations, the latch mechanism 142 may also include one or more cover contacting portions 152 disposed on the upper surface of the latch mechanism 142. The one or more cover contacting portions 152 may provide a reduced contact area to reduce friction between the latch mechanism 142 and the cover 122 if the latch mechanism 142 contacts the cover 122. In the implementation shown in FIGS. 3-5, the one or more cover contacting portions 152 are formed as hemi-spherical protrusions extending upward from the upper surface of the latch mechanism 142. Additionally, in the implementation of FIGS. 3-5, four cover contacting portions 152 are provided evenly spaced around the through hole 154. However, the cover contacting portions 152 are not limited to this configuration and may have any shape or arrangement as would be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art.

Additionally, in some implementations, the latch mechanism 142 may also include one or more base contacting portions 156 (shown in FIG. 4) disposed on the bottom surface of the latch mechanism 142. The one or more base contacting portions 156 may provide a reduced contact area to reduce friction between the latch mechanism 142 and the base 118 if the latch mechanism contacts the base 118. In the implementation shown in FIG. 4, the one or more base contacting portions 156 are formed as hemi-spherical protrusions extending downward from the bottom surface of the latch mechanism 142. However, the base contacting portions 156 are not limited to this configuration and may have any shape or arrangement as would be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the latch post 144 has a substantially cylindrical shape and extends upward from the base 118 toward the cover 122. Further, a cover supporting portion 148 is provided at one end of the substantially cylindrical shape. In one embodiment, the latch post 144 is configured to have a length such that when a deflecting force is applied to the cover 122, the cover 122 contacts and is supported by the cover supporting portion 148 without compressing the latch mechanism 142 such that the latch mechanism 142 contacts both the cover 122 and the base 118 simultaneously. In other words, the length of the latch post 144 provides a clearance for the latch mechanism 142 so that the latch mechanism 142 does not become trapped between the cover 122 and the base 118 when an external load is applied to the drive. By using the latch post 144 as a cover limiter may ensure continued functionality of the latch mechanism 142 during worst case loading conditions.

In some implementations, a gap D₁ (shown in FIG. 5) is provided between the cover supporting portion 148 and the cover 122 such that the cover 122 and cover supporting portion 148 of the latch post 144 only contact when a load is applied to the cover 122. However, in some implementations, no gap may be formed between the cover 122 and the cover supporting portion 148 such that the cover 122 and the cover supporting portion 148 are contacting.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3-5, the cover supporting portion 148 is formed with a substantially flat surface with a tapered region 158 such that the diameter of the latch post 144 decreases toward the cover. However, the cover supporting portion 148 is not limited to this configuration and may have other alternative configurations. For example, the cover supporting portion 148 may be formed as a hemi-spherical portion having a curved upper surface. Further, in some implementations, the latch post 144 may be formed with constant diameter along its length.

The latch post 144 may be formed from a variety of materials including machined aluminum or steel. Additionally, in some implementations, the latch post 144 is formed as a piece separate from the base 118 that is inserted through the base 118. However, the latch post 144 is not limited to being a separate piece inserted through the base 118. The latch post 144 may be formed as a separate pieced attached to the bottom of the base 118 by adhesive, welding, screw attachment, press fitting, or any other type of attachment that might be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art. The latch post 144 may also be formed as a machined extension feature formed as a part of the base 118 or any other configuration as would be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art.

In the implementation illustrated in FIGS. 3-5, the latch post 144 is configured to support the cover of the disk drive assembly. However, implementations of the present application are not limited to this configuration. The latch post 144 may be configured to support other components of the disk drive assembly during external loading conditions to prevent binding or compressing of the latch mechanism 142. FIG. 6 provides a perspective view of a disk drive a latch assembly according to a second implementation where the latch post 644 is configured to support the VCM cover 660. FIG. 7 provides a sectional view of the disk drive of FIG. 6.

Similar to the implementations discussed above, the latch assembly 650 in this implementation comprises a latch mechanism 642, and a latch post 644. The latch mechanism 642 is formed with a through-hole 654 passing from the bottom of the latch mechanism 642 through to the top of the latch mechanism 642. The latch post 644 may be inserted through the through-hole 654. The diameters of the latch post 644 and the latch mechanism 642 may be sized such that the latch mechanism 642 can freely rotate around the latch post 644. Further, the latch mechanism 642 may be configured to move vertically along the length of the latch post 644 such that the latch mechanism 642 “floats” between the base 118 and the VCM cover 660 during operation of the disk drive.

In some implementations, the latch mechanism 642 may also include one or more VCM cover contacting portions 652 disposed on the upper surface of the latch mechanism 642. The one or more cover contacting portions 652 may provide a reduced contact area to reduce friction between the latch mechanism 642 and the VCM cover 660 if the latch mechanism 642 contacts the VCM cover 660. The one or more cover contacting portions 652 may be formed as hemi-spherical protrusions extending upward from the upper surface of the latch mechanism 642. Additionally, two or more VCM cover contacting portions 652 may be evenly spaced around the through-hole 654. However, the VCM cover contacting portions 652 are not limited to this configuration and may have any shape or arrangement as would be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art.

Additionally, in some implementations, the latch mechanism 642 may also include one or more base contacting portions 656 disposed on the bottom surface of the latch mechanism 642. The one or more base contacting portions 656 may provide a reduced contact area to reduce friction between the latch mechanism 642 and the base 118 if the latch mechanism 642 contacts the base 118. The one or more base contacting portions 656 are formed as hemi-spherical protrusions extending downward from the bottom surface of the latch mechanism 642. However, the base contacting portions 656 are not limited to this configuration and may have any shape or arrangement as would be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art.

As illustrated in the latch post 644 has a substantially cylindrical shape and extends upward from the base 118 toward the VCM cover 660. Further, a cover supporting portion 648 is provided at one end of the substantially cylindrical shape. The latch post 644 is configured to have a length such that when a deflecting force is applied to the VCM cover 660, the VCM cover 660 contacts and is supported by the cover supporting portion 648 without compressing the latch mechanism 642 such that the latch mechanism 642 contacts both the VCM cover 622 and the base 118 simultaneously. In other words, the length of the latch post 644 provides a clearance for the latch mechanism 642 so that the latch mechanism 642 does not become trapped between the VCM cover 660 and the base 118. By using the latch post 644 as a cover limiter may ensure continued functionality of the latch mechanism 642 during worst case loading conditions.

In some implementations, a gap may be provided between the cover supporting portion 648 and the VCM cover 660 such that the VCM cover 660 and cover supporting portion 648 of the latch post 644 only contacts when a load is applied to the VCM cover 660. However, in some implementations, no gap may be formed between the VCM cover 660 and the cover supporting portion 648 such that the VCM cover 660 and the cover supporting portion 648 are contacting.

As illustrated, the VCM cover supporting portion 648 is formed with a substantially flat surface with a curved region 662 such that the diameter of the latch post 644 gradually decreases toward the VCM cover 660. However, the cover supporting portion 648 is not limited to this configuration and may have other alternative configurations. For example, the cover supporting portion 648 may be formed as a hemi-spherical portion having a curved upper surface. Further, in some implementations, the latch post 644 may be formed with a constant diameter along its length.

The latch post 644 may be formed from a variety of materials including machined aluminum or steel. Additionally, in some implementations, the latch post 644 is formed as a piece separate from the base 118 that is inserted through the base 118. However, the latch post 644 is not limited to being a separate piece inserted through the base 118. The latch post 644 may be formed as a separate pieced attached to the bottom of the base 118 by adhesive, welding, screw attachment, press fitting, or any other type of attachment that might be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art. The latch post 644 may also be formed as a machined extension feature formed as a part of the base 118 or any other configuration as would be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art.

While certain implementations and embodiments have been described, these implementations and embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the protection. Indeed, the novel methods and apparatuses described herein may be embodied and implemented in a variety of other forms. Furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the methods and systems described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the protection. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope and spirit of the protection. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A disk drive assembly comprising: a base; a cover; a post extending from the base toward the cover; and a latch movably mounted on the post such that the post extends there through, wherein the post comprises a cover supporting portion configured to: support the cover, and prevent the cover from compressing the latch and causing the latch to contact both the cover and the base simultaneously when a load is applied to a portion of the cover above the latch and wherein the post has a height sufficiently greater than the height of the latch to provide a clearance between the cover and the base and prevent the latch from simultaneously contacting both the cover and the base when the external load is applied to a portion of the cover and the cover contacts the cover supporting portion.
 2. The disk drive assembly of claim 1, wherein the latch comprises at least one cover contacting portion configured to extend toward the cover and provide a reduced contact area between the latch and the cover.
 3. The disk drive assembly of claim 2, wherein the latch comprises at least one base contacting portion configured to extend toward the base and provide a reduced contact area between the latch and the base.
 4. The disk drive assembly of claim 3, wherein at least one of the at least one base contacting portion and the at least one cover contacting portion comprises a hemi-spherical structure formed on a surface of the latch.
 5. The disk drive assembly of claim 2, wherein the at least one cover contacting portion comprises a hemi-spherical structure formed on a surface of the latch.
 6. The disk drive assembly of claim 1, wherein the cover supporting portion comprises: a substantially flat surface disposed at an end of the post; and a tapered sidewall adjacent the substantially flat surface, which increases in radius along at least a portion of a height of the post.
 7. The disk drive assembly of claim 1, wherein the cover supporting portion comprises: a curved upper surface disposed at an end of the post.
 8. The disk drive assembly of claim 1, wherein the post is formed as a pin inserted through the base.
 9. The disk drive assembly of claim 1, wherein the post is formed as machined extension feature of the base.
 10. A latch mechanism assembly for a disk drive assembly comprising a cover and a base, the latch mechanism comprising: a post configured to extend from a portion of the disk drive assembly toward the cover; and a latch movably mounted on the post such that the post extends there through, wherein the post comprises a cover supporting portion configured to: support the cover, and prevent the cover from compressing the latch and causing the latch to contact both the cover and the base simultaneously when a load is applied to a portion of the cover above the latch, and wherein the post has a height sufficiently greater than the height of the latch to provide a clearance between the cover and the base and prevent the latch from simultaneously contacting both the cover and the base when the external load is applied to a portion of the cover and the cover contacts the cover supporting portion.
 11. The latch mechanism of claim 10, wherein the latch comprises at least one cover contacting portion configured to extend toward the cover and provide a reduced contact area between the latch and the cover.
 12. The latch mechanism of claim 11, wherein the latch comprises at least one base contacting portion configured to extend toward the base and provide a reduced contact area between the latch and the base.
 13. The latch mechanism of claim 12, wherein at least one of the at least one base contacting portion and the at least one cover contacting portion comprises a hemi-spherical structure formed on a surface of the latch.
 14. The latch mechanism of claim 11, wherein the at least one cover contacting portion comprises a hemi-spherical structure formed on a surface of the latch.
 15. The latch mechanism of claim 10, wherein the cover supporting portion comprises: a substantially flat surface disposed at an end of the post; and a tapered sidewall adjacent the substantially flat surface, which increases in radius along at least a portion of a height of the post.
 16. The disk drive assembly of claim 10, wherein the cover supporting portion comprises: a curved upper surface disposed at an end of the post. 